EpistleToColonelDePeyster

epistletocoloneldepeyster

myhonor'dcolonel,deepifeel

yourinterestinthepoet'sweal;

ah!nowsma'hearthaeitospeel

thesteepparnassus,

surroundedthusbyboluspill,

andpotionglasses.

owhatacantyworldwereit,

wouldpainandcareandsicknessspareit;

andfortunefavourworthandmerit

astheydeserve;

andayerowtho'roast-beefandclaret,

syne,whawadstarve?

damelife,tho'fictionoutmaytrickher,

andinpastegemsandfripperydeckher;

oh!flickering,feeble,andunsicker

i'vefoundherstill,

ayewaveringlikethewillow-wicker,

'tweengoodandill.

thenthatcurstcarmagnole,auldsatan,

watcheslikebaudronsbyaratton

oursinfu'saultogetaclauton,

wi'felonire;

syne,whip!histailye'llne'ercastsauton,

he'safflikefire.

ahnick!ahnick!itisnafair,

firstshowingusthetemptingware,

brightwines,andbonielassesrare,

toputusdaft

syneweave,unseen,thyspidersnare

ohell'sdamnedwaft.

poorman,theflie,aftbizzesby,

andaft,aschancehecomestheenigh,

thydamn'dauldelbowyeukswi'joy

andhellishpleasure!

alreadyinthyfancy'seye,

thysickertreasure.

soon,heelso'ergowdie,inhegangs,

and,likeasheep-headonatangs,

thygirninglaughenjoyshispangs,

andmurderingwrestle,

as,danglinginthewind,hehangs,

agibbet'stassel.

butlestyouthinkiamuncivil

toplagueyouwiththisdrauntingdrivel,

abjuringa'intentionsevil,

iquatmypen,

thelordpreserveusfraethedevil!

amen!amen!